Back to School
The Lords’ team was sent back to Freuchie Primary School on Sunday afternoon. Had Fife Council Education Services finally tracked down those Freuchie lads who had spent way too much time on the cricket field? Certainly not! Their presence was required at a tree planting ceremony commemorating their 1985 achievement.
Commemoration plaque secured to the school wall
Elizabeth Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, was enthusiastic about taking part in Freuchie’s Glorious Weekend celebration of the Lords’ victory. Liz, who is no stranger to cricket, is a former member of the Scottish Ladies Cricket X1, a Governor of George Watson’s College in Edinburgh, Deputy Convener of the Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Sport, a coach of two girls’ cricket teams and has been an admirer of Freuchie Cricket Club’s achievements for many years.
Elizabeth Smith MSP at Freuchie’s Glorious Weekend
Liz was delighted to be involved in the tree planting ceremony and spoke of the wonderful cooperation in Freuchie between village, club and school to the benefit of the whole community:
"I remember the famous Lords’ occasion in September 1985 very well indeed. It was an extraordinary achievement by the 13 men from Freuchie and a real boost for Scottish cricket, the benefits of which I believe we are still enjoying 25 years on. In particular, I congratulate Freuchie Cricket Club on its youth development programme and on its strong links with the local primary school in the grounds of which 13 fruit trees will be planted to celebrate the 1985 victory. That feature is a terrific link between the cricket stars of the past as those of the future."
Side note: The club hopes to arrange a match next summer with Liz’s under 14 girls team, so come on Freuchie girls start training now, the facilities are there.
The tree planting delegation and VIPs listens to Liz Smith’s tribute
Left to Right: Ann Duncan (wife of Alan Duncan), George Crichton, Stewart Irvine, Mark Wilkie, Dave Cowan, Fraser Irvine, Sir Menzies Campbell MP, Dave Christie, Brian Christie, Andy Crichton, Elizabeth Smith MSP, Bob McFarlane (President, Cricket Scotland) and his daughter and Pete Hepplewhite
Formalities complete, it was down to the Lords’ players and their representatives to plant the new fruit orchard.
[ Click on any photograph to see a larger version ]
Davie Cowan aka “Coo” plants a Pear “Williams” tree
Ann Duncan plants an Apple “Tydeman’s Early” on behalf of her hubby Alan aka “Duffers”
Ann had a starring role in the 1985 BBC and STV documentaries which were running in the clubhouse all weekend, courtesy of the broadcasters and Black Light.
Editor’s comment: It was noted Alan didn’t turn up until after Mr 60 Minutes had finished up for the day and gone home. Could this be another “Stig” type identity? Just a thought!
Mark Wilkie plants a Pear “"Williams” with headteacher Rona MacLean-Ross keeping a watchful eye for any misbehaviour
Pete Hepplewhite plants a Pear “Conference” tree
Stewart Irvine aka “Jasper” plants an Apple “Blenheim Orange” tree
Brian Christie puts an Apple “Ellison’s Orange” into the ground
Fraser Irvine plants an Apple “Blenheim Orange”
George Crichton jokingly asks, “Where’s the rest of it?”, as he plants an Apple “Charles Ross” tree
Club President Ian Paterson aka “Patsy” is honoured to plant a Cherry “Stella” tree on behalf of Niven McNaughton
Editor’s comment: The tree planting was really motoring at this point! Our photographer wasn’t getting a moment to line up the shots before the tree was planted and it was onto the next one. Please send us any better photos you may have of Patsy planting this tree.
Many people expressed their delight to see Niven had managed along to the club on the Sunday even if someone had to stand in for him at the tree planting ceremony.
Andy Crichton plants an Apple “Charles Ross”
Dave “Dad” Christie gets help from Jasper to plant an Apple “Ellison’s Orange” tree
Davie Houston aka “Housty” plants a Pear “Williams” on behalf of George Wilson… but where’s Robbie!
And finally…
Alan Wood of Norsk Hydro, a sponsor of the 1980’s, plants an Apple “Bramley” on behalf of Terry Trewartha
Gasp! Job done and it was time to watch Freuchie beat Falkland.
The Daily Record produced an excellent reunion article earlier in the week which provides a little background on each player and their contribution to the victorious Village Cup run. We heartedly recommend you take a look if you’ve not already done so.
Once again there are so many people to thank for making this special commemoration possible: headteacher Rona Maclean-Ross; the pupils and the staff of the school; our invited VIP guests; the Lords’ squad and their representatives. There is also a long list of people who shovelled and trundled barrows around to prepare the ground: David Girdwood; Andy Mather; Mrs.Lesley Thomson; Mrs. Catriona Nimmo; Mrs. Wendy Simpson; Gill Milne; Mrs. Cam McIvor and Scott McCrone. Thank you one and all.
It is heartening to see the Fife Council Community Payback Offender’s Scheme being used for such good work in our little village. A big show of appreciation to the staff and clients of the service who also put in so much hard work.
Members of the community who missed the start of the Freuchie vs Falkland 20/20 match to watch the ceremony should also be thanked for choosing to come along to witness this historic moment.
Editor’s comment: Hopefully we’ve not missed anyone out!
One final thing, the man from Del Monte has been on the phone and he says “Yes”! – for those too young to remember the advertising campaign, you can check out this advert on YouTube.
Technorati Tags: Alan Duncan, Ann Duncan, Brian Christie, cricket, Dave Christie, Dave Cowan, Davie Houston, Fraser Irvine, Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, Freuchie Primary School, George Crichton, George Wilson, Liz Smith MSP, Mark Wilkie, Niven McNaughton, Pete Hepplewhite, Sir Menzies Campbell MP, Stewart Irvine
Not ‘Glorious’ – FABULOUS!
This was billed as ‘Freuchie’s Glorious Weekend.’ As it turned out, ‘glorious’ didn’t do it justice. If there’s any truth in the old crack that a Scotsman’s highest praise is “no’ bad,” this was indeed – no’ bad!
One of the main features of Saturday’s Family Fun Day was the official opening of the new Sports Court, even if it’s likely to retain its now unofficial title of ‘the MUGA.’
‘Taster Sessions’ were on offer – was that not supposed to be about sampling the sporting activities rather than scran?
Patrick Laughlin, Chairman of Freuchie Community Council, kicks off the MUGA opening ceremony whilst Dave Christie and Cllr Andrew Arbuckle wait nervously for their parts to come…
Dave Christie cuts the ceremonial ribbon ably assisted by Cllr Andrew Arbuckle and Mr 60 Minutes, whilst every kid in Freuchie enthusiastically crowds around.
Freuchie Cricket Club coaches teach key skills to our youngsters during the Kwik Cricket Taster session.
The activity tents with Freuchie Church as a back drop.
The new Player’s Disciplinary Unit? Or the new dressing rooms?
Just Chillin’ in the Freuchie sunshine
Great crowds, great weather and good fun all round.
Sunday was more about cricket, with a T20 game against Falkland and the official launch of our book “Freuchie Cricket Club, 1908 – 2008.” Events were opened by Sir Menzies Campbell, attention initially divided between the cricket and a ceremonial tree-planting in the school playground to commemorate the thirteen players in the Lord’s squad. No less than nine of them were at the ceremony.
Sir Menzies Campbell opens events on the Sunday
….. but what on earth is Coo looking at?
“And dae ye mind yon time ….?
The closing ceremony with Sir Menzies Campbell, our president Ian Paterson, the irreplaceable Dave Christie and Cricket Scotland president Bob ‘Faff’ McFarlane.
We’re betting this blanket has a story or two to tell…
Like so many days of the kind, it’s hard to do justice to all the people who worked to make this weekend what it was, but we have to mention Helen Lawrenson and her team for much of Saturday’s events, Rachel and Dave Tosh for the catering, our bar staff, the players who ran Saturday’s sports for the kids, Falkland Cricket Club for joining us on the Sunday, Liz Smith MSP, Sir Menzies Campbell MP, our local councillors and Bob McFarlane, Scott McCrone for ‘The Book,’ (all but five of our fifty copies already spoken for) Jock and Black Light for the Lord’s video display – the list just goes on and on. And we finished the day with a win over our old rivals, Falkland. What more could a body ask for!
Over the next few days we’ll be adding more blog posts with even more photos and commentary from the weekend.
Technorati Tags: Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, Cricket Scotland, Falkland Cricket Club, Liz Smith, Menzies Campbell, MUGA, Scott McCrone
Media Roundup
Articles and blog posts related to the build up and during the Glorious Weekend are detailed below.
- In pictures: Little Freuchie Cricket Club – 25 and not out
- Reunited after 25 years.. the Scots who shook the world of cricket
- Freuchie Sports Court now open!
- New orchard commemorates ‘Freuchie’s Glorious Weekend’
- Freuchie’s Celebratory Cricket Match
- From the archives: Fabulous Freuchie win at Lords’
- From the archives: Freuchie cricket glory
- Freuchie Cricket Club to relive Lord’s glory of 1985
- Bowled over by Freuchie’s Lords’ heroes
We will revisit this blog post over the coming days as we become aware of other links to relevant articles.
Technorati Tags: Daily Record, Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, Smart Community Fife, The Courier, The Scotsman
The Courier’s Tribute
The Courier has paid tribute on their website to the 25th anniversary of Freuchie’s cricket victory at Lord’s.
The report from Thursday’s newspaper can be found here:
They’ve also reproduced the full report from The Village Cup victory of 1985 here:
Finally, they’ve put together a wee gallery of pics from 1985 here:
A job well done by our friends at The Courier. Thank you.
Technorati Tags: cricket, Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, Lord’s, The Courier, The Village Cup
Limited Edition Book
Orders are now being taken for the new Freuchie Cricket Club 1908 – 2008 Limited Edition book.
More information about the book, including a downloadable excerpt, is available here.
Technorati Tags: book, Freuchie , Freuchie Cricket Club, limited edition
Freuchie’s Glorious Weekends
This has to have been one of the most neglected blogs of all time in the last few months. However, we are about to remedy that. And the heading is correct – ‘weekends’ – plural!
Posters are already on display for what is being billed as Freuchie’s Glorious Weekend, but there’s an important date before that. This Sunday (22nd August) sees us hosting a Kwik Cricket festival – no less than twelve junior teams in competition, groundsmen Dave Christie and Dave McIntosh tearing their hair out to find six wickets dotted about the park.
Then the Glorious Weekend as billed: We are going to have a celebration of our 1985 Lord’s victory, spread across 4th and 5th September, with a family Fun Day on the Saturday and a 20:20 match on the Sunday. Some details have still to be worked out, but here’s the general set up:
The Fun Day will have craft stalls, bouncy castle, face-painting, and most importantly, ‘taster sessions’ of sports in the new games area in the school playground – short tennis, cricket, netball, dodge ball and so on. There will be a free family disco in the clubhouse, starting at eight o‘clock. Tea and coffee will be available at the clubhouse throughout the day, and we are keen to get as many people as possible coming to the club to see what a fine place it is.
Through the efforts of Scott McCrone, there will be an exhibition of some of our historic photographs, backed up by video footage of the great Lord’s adventure, courtesy of BBC and STV and our own Jock Wallace and his employer and major club sponsor, Black Light. That’ll be running all through the weekend (except during the Saturday evening disco, when it will be taken down to protect it from any over-energetic dancers. Swing yer Maw, swing yer Paw, swing yer Grannie through the wa’ …..)
On the Sunday, we will be gathering around one o’clock, with an opening speech from Sir Menzies Campbell at half past one. Cricket Scotland president Bob McFarlane will take over, with our 20:20 against Falkland kicking off at two o’clock. We’re hoping that between innings, there will be time for a very short junior game to let people see a few of our stars of the future.
And THE BOOK – THE BOOK! “Freuchie Cricket Club, 1908 to 2008” – a really beautiful hard-bound book of over 230 pages. Compiled by Scott McCrone (busy man, our Scott) and with an introduction by Sir Menzies Campbell, it has copies of old minutes, photographs, fixture cards, score sheets and a special section on the Lord’s victory. We will be giving it its official launch on 5th September with a limited First Edition of fifty copies. It may sound dear at £40 a copy, but many people, on seeing a draft copy, have said things like “you’re crazy – you’re way under-priced at £40!” and “this is family heirloom stuff!” Come and judge for yourselves – there will be at least one copy to see even if the first fifty have been snapped up.
Also on the Sunday, time yet to be decided, it is planned to have a tree-planting ceremony in the newly-landscaped school playground, commemorating the Lord’s squad and the official opening of the new multi-use games area.
And there’s more, even if not exactly on the weekend – The Daily Record plans to run a feature on the Lord’s team on the actual anniversary of the victory, while STV cameras aim to be at our ground on 1st September to prepare for a horror show of all these aging faces ….
Technorati Tags: Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, Black Light, Falkland Cricket Club, Lord’s, Cricket Scotland, the Daily Record, STV, the National Village Championship
Will June be as good as May?
The First team was at Edinburgh on Saturday, facing Imans Edinburgh. Winning the toss, Freuchie put Edinburgh in to bat, which looked like a really good idea when the home side was 3 wickets down with only 12 on the board, but their mid-order batsmen pulled away strongly to finish with 210 all out. For Freuchie’s innings, 61 for 2 didn’t seem too bad, but things looked grim at 106 for 6. However, Steve Rowley batting at number 6 had 61 not out, supported by Dale Cowan at number 10 with 29 not out. We had been needing 67 off the last 10.4 overs and got them with 7 balls to spare. A five-for for Scott Gourlay, 3 for 49 for Dale’s ten overs and Steveo’s excellent 61 – 10 points for Freuchie (and maybe a few sighs of relief).
Meanwhile, the Seconds were at home to Heriots. Captain Kenny reports:
Saturday saw Heriots 2s come to Muir Road. Kenny won the toss and put the visitors into bat. Freuchie bowled tightly with the score at only 49 for 2 after 20 overs but then Heriots started to swing the bat a bit, their opener H Wright hitting a few sixes which saw him reach 88 before Allan Wallace bowled him. R Ruru scored 43, Freuchie bowling Heriots all out for 233 in the final over.
After tea, Freuchie’s innings started poorly, with Blair Forrester out from the 1st ball of the innings and Lee Duncan, who came in at 3, out shortly after for only 6 to leave the score at 7 for 2 off the first over. In came Allan Wallace to start a 71 run partnership with the other opener, Robbie Wright. Allan Wallace was eventually caught by Wallace on 40. Shortly after, the fall of two more wickets saw the score at 116 for 5 off 27 overs. That brought captain Kenny to the crease to start another good partnership and good batting performances from both Kenny and Robbie with a 90+ partnership coming to an end with Kenny on 40 before being run out and Robbie going on to 78 before being caught. That saw Freuchie at 208 for 7 of 40 overs but unfortunately, with some tight bowling from Heriots Freuchie finished 2 runs short of victory.
It was a great game of cricket and although Freuchie didn’t win, they still picked up the maximum points of 12 which Kenny was pleased with.
Special mention for Peter McNicol for stepping in at the last minute to help out after not playing for 4 years.
Secretary’s note: I watched some of the game, in which I thought Heriots had a very strong-looking side. I had seen some of Robbie’s batting when he scored a century against Kinross the previous week but this was different stuff against a very different standard of bowling. Very, very well played, Mr Wright.
We have very little news about Sunday’s Murgitroyd T20 against Stirling County. “Gubbed” was one report, “hammered” another.
However, we end May with the Firsts second from top in SNCl Division II, the Seconds fourth in Division II of the East League. Can we continue this for the rest of the season?
Teams for Saturday 5th June:
First XI at home to Weirs: Scot Galloway, Dave Cowan, Scott Birrell, Robbie Birrell, Steve Rowley, Jock Wallace, Mike Jackson, Dale Cowan, Graeme Christie, Fergus Black, Stuart Gibson.
Second XI away to top of the table Murrayfield DAFS: Kenny Crichton, Blair Forrester, Lee Duncan, Robbie Wright, Shane Munro, Liam Kelly, Ross McMurdo, Grant Horsburgh, Ian Paterson, Rory Brown, Greg Birrell
Technorati Tags: Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, SNCL, ESCA, Edinburgh, Heriots, Stirling County, Murgitroyds
29th and 30th May
Lots happening. On Saturday, the Firsts are off to Edinburgh, the Twos at home to Heriots. On Sunday, the Firsts are off bright and early to Stirling County for a Murgitroyd T20 tie, while at home, we are hosting a Scottish U15 trial game.
Saturday First XI: Scott Galloway, Dave Cowan, Scott Gourlay, Scott Birrell, Robbie Birrell, Dale Cowan, Steve Rowley, Mike Jackson, Jock Wallace, Stewart Gibson.
Second XI: Kenny Crichton, Blair Forrester, Graeme Christie, Liam Kelly, Robbie Wright, Shane Munro, Lee Duncan, Alan Wallace, Ian Paterson, Ross McMurdo, Chris Hunt. Reserves Grant Horsburgh and Greg Birrell.
Sunday – meet at eight am for 9.30 start at Stirling: Scott Galloway, Scott Gourlay, Mike Jackson, Steve Rowley, Dale Cowan, Robbie Birrell, Scott Birrell, Jock Wallace, Stewart Gibson, Graeme Christie
Come and support Kenny and his men on Saturday, and don’t miss the U15 trials on Sunday.
Technorati Tags: Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, Heriots, Stirling County, Murgitroyd, SNCL
22 / 23 May
Another good one for the Firsts on Saturday – beat RH Corstorphine by seven wickets – scorecard here. Quoting from SNCL’s Division II Roundup: “Freuchie moved into second place with a comfortable win against RH Corstorphine at Public Park. The visitors made 159 all out in 44.3 overs. When Overseas Amateur Jason Biddulph was at the crease a large total looked on the cards but with his departure for 67 the batting collapsed with Scott Galloway capturing 4 wickets for 17. The two Scotts Birrell (66*) and Gourlay (39*) put on 98 to see their side home with 3 overs to spare.” What more could a body ask for?
Photo: Matching winning Freuchie 1st XI
Meanwhile, our Second XI’s 100% record came to an abrupt end. A number of regulars were unavailable for selection, the situation made worse by injuries and call-offs. That said, it was a respectable looking batting XI that took the field against Marchmont. Stand-in skipper Alan Wallace praised Shane Munro for his mature innings of 30 not out and Grant Horsburgh for his contribution, but 139 all out off 47 overs wasn’t likely to be enough. Sadly, so it proved. Robbie Wright bowled economically, but the Marchmont batsmen cruised past our total without difficulty – and without loss. Alan reported that young Ross McMurdo bowled excellently and he had particular praise for the fielding of Cameron Millar and Blair Lawrie. We also have a special thanks to Charles Balfour, who drove up from Newcastle in response to Alan’s appeal for players.
Sunday saw our Thirds at home to Kinross. Both clubs had sides of genuinely mixed ability, but it has to be confessed that our mix was a good deal stronger than theirs. Freuchie batted first, with James Fretwell retiring hurt, but Dale Cowan and Robbie Wright rather took charge at that point, Dale skelping some huge sixes into the football park and retiring when he made his hundred. Robbie was close behind him at that point. He too got to his hundred a few balls later, and likewise retired. That left the way clear for the younger lads, who must have enjoyed batting without any pressure whatsoever.
Technorati Tags: Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, Corstorphine, Kinross, SNCL
Teams for 22/23 May
Saturday 22nd, First XI at home Corstorphine – meet at 11.15
Scott Galloway, Dave Cowan, Scott Birrell, Robbie Birrell, Scott Gourlay, Dale Cowan, Steve Rowley, Jock Wallace, Mike Jackson, Liam Kelly, Stewart Gibson
Saturday 22nd, Seconds away to Marchmont, meet at 10.30
Blair Forrester, Alan Wallace, Robbie Wright, Shane Munro, Lee Duncan, Grant Horsburgh, Ross McMurdo, Rory Brown, Chris Hunt, Blair Lawrie, AN Other
Sunday 23rd, Third XI at home to Kinross, meet at 11.30
Dave Cowan, Scott Galloway, Greg Birrell, James Fretwell, Shane Munro, Robbie Wright, Rory Brown, Grant Horsburgh, Max Brown, Liam Kelly, Ross McMurdo
Technorati Tags: cricket, Freuchie, Freuchie Cricket Club, Corstorphine, Marchmont, Kinross